Fielding Glove

ABSTRACT

The invention provides an Improved Fielding Glove which eliminates the index finger and middle finger slots. The exterior of the glove reflects these slots, but the interior area provides a single four-finger slot having inner loop for the fingers. All four fingers are placed into this area. The thumb slot of the Improved Fielding Glove includes a wider leather strap for improved gripping. This construction of the Improved Fielding Glove provides the player with better control of the mitt and makes it easier to grab the ball in the deep pocket area.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This patent application claims priority under 35 USC 119 (e) (1) from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/573,790 filed Sep. 12, 2011, of common inventorship herewith entitled, “IMPROVED FIELDING GLOVE”.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to the field of sports equipment, and more specifically to the field of baseball fielding gloves.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The prior art has put forth several designs for baseball fielding glove. Among these are:

U.S. Pat. No. 7,353,544 to James M. Kleinert describes a fielding glove which includes additional padding and lacing to facilitate and improve closure of the glove. This glove includes zones free of padding at selected areas to enhance closure of the glove.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,536,046 to Lawrence J. Gilligan describes a flexible baseball glove comprising front and back shells which are joined together both along the periphery of the glove and selectively at internal portions of the glove to form a finger portion, a heel portion and a thumb portion. A web type panel is disposed between the finger portion and the thumb portion and at least two finger stalls and one thumb stall are formed within the glove, between the front and back shells.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,370,691 to Robert Tae-Boo Park describes a baseball glove with a rough skin on the inner surface of its thumb and finger sections. The rough skin is formed by regularly, repeatedly and shallowly cutting the inner surface to form several rows of arc shaped cuts, each cut including a groove and a ridge. This invention's design breaks the rotation of the ball being caught and prevents the ball slipping out of the glove unexpectedly.

None of these prior art references describe the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved soft and flexible baseball and softball fielding glove to permit painless catching of a ball in the reinforced deep pocket instead of in the web of the glove.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective vertical view showing a reinforced deep pocket, a thumb slot, and a four-finger slot, indicating inner loop for fingers.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective horizontal view of the present invention showing its deep pocket and ready flexibility.

FIG. 3 is a perspective angled view of the present invention showing the hand insert area and the thumb slot.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Perhaps the most beloved of American sports is the game of baseball. Each spring millions of people anticipate the opening day of the baseball season and fill ball parks to watch their favorite teams and players bat home runs and throw no hitters. Once a sport enjoyed exclusively by men and boys, baseball has become a favorite of females as well, from supportive mothers and wives of players to young girls filling fields on little league teams. Crossing gender and generational lines, the endurance of this beloved sport is both unparalleled and unquestioned. Participating in baseball provides an invaluable outlet for fun, fitness and camaraderie for players of this extremely active sport. Baseball requires constant practice to hone one's skills at play and to optimize one's game. Infield catching necessitates a commanding focus of looking the ball into the mitt. As many people who play baseball readily attest, good catching skills are an essential component to winning a game. The prior art catching gloves made for fielders present a challenge. The high and hard velocity of an approaching ball is incompatible with a fielding glove's inflexible construction. Catches tend to result in a painful collision between the ball and the player's hand. To combat this, beginning baseball players use the webbed portion of the glove to make catches instead of the designated deep pocket area. This improper catching technique quickly results in dropped or missed catches.

The present invention, hereinafter referred to as the Improved Fielding Glove, is a specially designed baseball glove created expressly for field players. The Improved Fielding Glove offers a softer and more flexible construction to facilitate pain free catching. The glove helps catchers avoid using the webbed portion of the glove, resulting in improved catching skills. Lightweight and flexible, the Improved Fielding Glove is manufactured of leather or synthetic materials. Regular construction includes a lining, a two-part pad in the heel of the glove and plastic reinforcements near the thumb and little finger. Traditional sizes are available for adults, teenagers, little league and pony league age children. It is available in right hand and left hand versions. The Improved Fielding Glove feels like a first baseman's glove, yet functions for normal fielding plays. These gloves are measured from wrist to the tip and typically have approximately twelve to thirteen inch patterns. The Improved Fielding Glove comes in a variety of sizes appropriate to level and stature of the player from little leaguers and high school players to college athletes and professionals. Several distinguishing characteristics set the present invention apart from common models. The Improved Fielding Glove eliminates the index finger and middle finger slots. The exterior of the glove reflects these slots, but the interior area provides a single four-finger slot having inner loop for the fingers. All four fingers are placed into this area. The thumb slot of the Improved Fielding Glove includes a wider leather strap for improved gripping. This construction of the Improved Fielding Glove provides the player with better control of the mitt and makes it easier to grab the ball in the deep pocket area.

The Improved Fielding Glove provides baseball players with a simple yet effective tool to hone their catching skills. A fielding baseball glove configured with a deeper catching pocket created by the repositioning of the fingers inside, the present invention provides a flexibility that eliminates the painful impact common to standard gloves. This embodiment helps beginning players avoid the improper technique of relying on the glove's webbing to make catches. Repeated practice with the Improved Fielding Glove improves a player's game and provides essential assistance in striking out any opponent. Compact and lightweight, the Improved Fielding Glove is transported easily from the home to the field. With its universal design and variety of available sizes, the Improved Fielding Glove is utilized by baseball players or softball players of all skill levels and ages. Manufactured of durable high quality materials and components, the Improved Fielding Glove will withstand years of continued use.

Although this invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, it is not intended to be limited thereto and various modifications which will become apparent to the person of ordinary skill in the art are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. 

1. An improved baseball and softball fielding glove, comprising: a fielding glove wherein the interior of the glove comprises a single four-finger slot having inner loops for the fingers, wherein all four fingers are placed into the single four-finger slot eliminating the interior index finger and middle finger slots.
 2. The improved fielding glove of claim 1 wherein the exterior of the glove shows four finger slots, and the exterior reflects these slots, but the interior of the glove comprises a single four-finger slot having inner loops for the fingers, wherein all four fingers are placed into the single four-finger slot.
 3. The improved fielding glove of claim 2 wherein the thumb slot of the glove includes a wide leather strap producing a deep pocket for improved gripping.
 4. The improved fielding glove of claim 3 further comprising a two part pad in the heel of the glove.
 5. The improved fielding glove of claim 2 further comprising plastic reinforcements in the glove near the area of the thumb and little finger.
 6. The improved fielding glove of claim 4 produced in a variety of sizes from children to adults. 